What is "Register your rental property"?
It's the government's new online register of private landlords and rental properties in England, set up under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. In the legislation and in much of the industry it's called the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database; "Register your rental property" is the name of the GOV.UK service landlords will use.
Its purpose is to give tenants and councils a verified record of who owns and manages each private rental property, and to help councils enforce housing standards. Once it's live in your area, you'll need to register yourself and each property you let.
When does it apply to me?
Registration opens area by area rather than all at once:
- 15 December 2026 — the service opens, starting with the West Midlands. Landlords there must register by 14 March 2027.
- Over the following 12 months — other areas are called forward in turn, each with three months to register.
- 14 November 2027 — every landlord actively letting property in England should be registered.
If you don't let property in the West Midlands there's nothing to do yet, but it's worth getting your paperwork together now. You can sign up for GOV.UK email alerts on changes to private renting to hear when your area opens.
What will I need, and what does it cost?
According to the government's Housing Hub, you'll need:
- A GOV.UK One Login account (offline routes will also be available)
- Identification for yourself or your organisation, and evidence of authority if you register on someone else's behalf
- Details of each property, its tenancy and occupancy, and the rent
- Your gas safety, electrical (EICR) and energy performance (EPC) certificates
- An annual fee of £65 per property
Registration becomes a legal requirement once your area's window applies. Check GOV.UK for the enforcement and penalty details that apply at the time.
How to prepare now
Before registration opens in your area
- Make sure gas safety, EICR and EPC certificates are current and easy to find for every property
- Set up a GOV.UK One Login if you don't already have one
- Confirm each tenancy's deposit is protected in an approved scheme
- Keep tenancy, occupancy and rent details up to date for each property
LandlordHub tracks gas safety, EPC, electrical, insurance and registration status per property, with reminders as renewal dates approach — so when your area opens, your records are already in one place. The free compliance checker includes property registration alongside your other compliance items.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 'Register your rental property' service?
It is the government's new online register of private landlords and rental properties in England, set up under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. It is also known as the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database. Landlords must register themselves and each property they let.
When does registration start?
The 'Register your rental property' service launches on 15 December 2026, starting in the West Midlands, then other areas over the following 12 months. Each area gets three months to register once it is called forward.
When do I have to be registered by?
Landlords in the West Midlands must register by 14 March 2027. The government says all landlords actively letting property in England will need to have registered by 14 November 2027.
How much does it cost?
The government's Housing Hub says the annual cost is £65 per property.
What will I need to register?
You'll need a GOV.UK One Login, identification for yourself or your organisation, details of each property and its tenancy, rent and occupancy, and your gas safety, electrical (EICR) and energy performance (EPC) certificates. Offline registration routes will also be available.
Is this the same as the PRS Landlord Ombudsman?
No. Registration is a separate requirement from the new PRS Landlord Ombudsman, which will handle tenants' complaints about landlords. Check GOV.UK for the Ombudsman's timetable.